A FLINTSHIRE Mayor has given ten minutes out of his day to make a ‘huge difference’ and is urging others to do the same.

Cllr Tim Maunders overcome his fear for a second time for a good cause by donating blood.

The Mold Mayor attended the Welsh Blood Service’s pop-up donation clinic at Theatr Clwyd where he donated just under a pint of his blood.

He told the Leader: “It’s actually alright. Just do it, it’s for a good cause. You never know, one day you might need it or your loved one may need it.”

The Welsh Blood Service is encouraging new people to see if they are eligible to help the thousands of people relying on the service every day.

According to the Welsh Blood website, the service – which relies entirely on donors coming forward - needs to collect 350 donations every day across the country to supply Welsh hospitals with the level of blood to meet patient needs.

Donations are used in a variety of ways, from helping emergency operations and accident victims to cancer patients and premature babies.

Anyone aged between 17 and 66, weighing over 7st 12lbs and not subject to certain medical conditions can volunteer.

Also donating blood for the first time was Bailey Hill’s manager Jo Lane who was originally worried about what to expect.

She said: “It’s not as daunting as I anticipated. You hardly feel it, you know it’s happening, but it doesn’t feel unpleasant. I will do it again. Just do it.

“There’s nothing to worry about, everyone is very friendly and very nice. Ten minutes out of your day can make a huge difference to someone else. It’s the not knowing what to expect that’s the worst part.”

Every day, blood collected at the Welsh Blood Service donation sessions is used to save or improve the lives of patients across Wales.

On donor has been giving blood as regularly as he can for the past 20 years after being inspired by his father who ‘always took the time to donate’.

Janet Pealing has also given blood as regularly as she can for the past 40 years.

She added: “I try to donate blood as regularly as I can because it’s important, it’s needed. There are people out there who desperately need blood.

“For people who have never been before and don’t know what to expect, I would say just come along to a session. I even brought my children with me a couple of times so they can see how it all works. I would suggest if you have children then bring them along, the more who donate blood the better.”

When donating blood, it is important to remember that there are factors that must be taken into consideration over whether a person can donate or not.

Men can donate blood every three months, whereas women can donate every four months providing other factors are met.

More information about eligibility and what to expect can be found online of by speaking to the Welsh Blood Service.

Alan Prosser, Director of Service at the Welsh Blood Service said: “Every day, blood collected at Welsh Blood Service donation sessions like this one at Theatr Clwyd is used to save or improve the lives of patients across Wales.

“This blood is only available due to the selflessness of our loyal donors who routinely take time out of their busy lives to give the gift of life to strangers in need.

“To ensure patients in Wales continue to receive the blood they require, we need existing donors to keep attending our sessions and we need people who have never donated before to join our panel of lifesavers by attending a local donation session.

“Sessions are held most days at venues across north Wales and anyone who wants to know more can visit Welsh-Blood.org.uk or call 0800 252266.”

The next sessions held in Mold will take place at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 17 and March 23 between 10am and 12pm and 1.30pm and 3.45pm.

To book online visit https://wbs.wales/MoldLeader.